Album Review: Rua Rí, Tell Your Mother I Saved Your Life

If there’s one thing that comes through on Rua Rí’s debut, it’s his gentle sense of humour. On Tell Your Mother I Saved Your Life, the Cobh folk artist (real name Seán Damery) shows off the happy coupling of his soft heart and sharp wit.

The slyly satirical ‘Johnny Workman’ sees Rua Rí “busy sneezing, snoozing, breathing, bruising” before he segues into the catchiest stomp-and-holler chorus I’ve heard in a while. On ‘Makeover’, he vocalises his take on trad classic ‘The Britches Full Of Stitches’ with aplomb.

Even on more pensive tunes, Rua Rí’s breeziness heightens his emotionality. ‘Not So Brave Now Are Ya’ is a high point spanning a range of moods: it’s cheerful yet melancholy, steady and soothing yet slightly tentative – and ends with a gorgeous percussion breakdown.

Damery’s voice floats, whistles, hums and tumbles, taking his audience on a tonal journey as much as a lyrical one. Indeed, most of his songs beg a second listen to digest every last morsel of his inspired wordplay.

8.5/10